Comments: For American Inks & Coatings (AIC), a leader in the liquid packaging ink industry, 2010 was a solid year, as the company enjoyed growth in many of the markets that it serves.

“We’re still growing,” said Michael Mosley, American Inks & Coatings’ COO. “We are totally focused on the markets we serve. We’re growing through new business in folding cartons, and are growing at a fast rate in flexible packaging, which has become a really strong market for us. We are also seeing a shift back to domestic production of gift wrap.”

AIC offers a complete range of liquid inks and coatings, including water-based inks for multiwall bag, high graphics corrugated, folding carton, gift wrap and other packaging, and solvent-based inks for flexible packaging, including laminations and other innovative applications. Service is a key differentiator for the company, which has grown to become the sixth-largest packaging ink company in the U.S.

“The people who represent us in the field make the difference,” Mr. Mosley said. “The big guys are taking service out.”

As is the case for every ink manufacturer, AIC is trying to cope with the raw material price increases that are coming quickly for suppliers.

“We are trying to absorb what we can in terms of raw material price increases, but we have to pass along some costs and negotiate with our customers.” Mr. Mosley said. “Fortunately, we had the foresight to get back in on the dispersion side and become vertically integrated.”

Mr. Mosley said AIC has further opportunities for growth in 2011.

“We’re budgeting for a little growth,” he said. “It’s not like it was five or 10 years ago. It now takes time to get new business, up to six months or longer, but I think we’ll grow due to some of the opportunities we have in the market. We’ll continue to focus on what we do best.”